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Notebook: K-State coach sends letter to Bison quarterback Jensen

FARGO – Kansas State head football coach Bill Snyder didn’t forget about North Dakota State the moment the Bison left Manhattan, Kan., two weeks ago. He sent a hand written letter to Bison quarterback Brock Jensen congratulating the Bison senior.

“I was truly impressed with you and your teammates,” Snyder wrote. “You played so very well, virtually error-free and with such poise.”

NDSU defeated the Wildcats 24-21 in the season opener on Aug. 30, with Jensen scoring the game-winning touchdown with 28 seconds remaining.

K-State came into that game as the defending Big 12 Conference champions.

It’s not common among head coaches to write letters to opposing players, said NDSU’s Craig Bohl.

“I thought it was a real classy move by coach Snyder,” Bohl said. “I think he recognized the skill set Brock brings to the table and what he did. I know it was something Brock cherished.”

The Bison (2-0) remained the No. 1-ranked team in Division I FCS in both the coaches and media polls. The Bison are off this week and host Delaware State on Sept. 21.

Bohl said the hope is to get injured cornerbacks Brendin Pierre and Jordan Champion back for that game. Champion suffered an MCL strain in the K-State game and Pierre injured his hamstring.

NDSU has an unusual two bye weeks this season with the other in early November. FCS teams are allowed to play 12 games this year because of the way the calendar falls, but the Bison chose to keep their schedule at 11.

“Ideally we would like to be playing this week,” Bohl said, “but that’s OK, we’ll utilize this week in a positive fashion.”

Wisconsin prep commits to NDSU basketball

The NDSU men’s basketball team received a verbal commitment from 6-foot-4 guard Paul Miller from Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wis.

Miller averaged 17.9 points as a junior and will be at least the fifth player from Wisconsin on the 2014-15 NDSU roster. He told Wisconsin Sports Net that he picked the Bison over an offer from The Citadel. The publication ranked Miller the 11th-best senior prospect in the state.

Tributes needed for former Bison coach

Northern Michigan University is seeking video tributes to former football coach Buck Nystrom for a Sept. 20 event titled “Hands on the Line for Coach Buck” in Marquette, Mich.

Nystrom, who is undergoing cancer treatments, is a former NDSU assistant coach. David Gregory (dgthelobbyist@gmail.com) is handling the messages.

Delaware State at North Dakota State

When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

TV: KVLY

Radio: 790-AM, 101.9-FM

Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack can be reached at (701) 241-5546.

Kolpack’s NDSU media blog can be found at www.areavoices.com/bisonmedia